Leadoff Star Born In Florida

Castillo Makes Marlins Move

It was a simple act, bold and a bit bewildering, but what Luis Castillo did last Sunday afternoon said more about the Marlins' second baseman than all the stats in the record book.

Sure, Castillo is leading the majors in stolen bases, swiping 23 in just 35 games. And yes, he is making an argument as the best leadoff man in baseball with a .484 on-base percentage.

He has scored 32 runs in 35 games and is hitting .358 through Thursday.

But that has nothing to do with what Castillo did last Sunday after the Marlins beat the Reds 3-1 in Cincinnati.

The clubhouse was alive, bouncing after the second win in a row. But Castillo, who had two hits and three stolen bases, was so angry he walked into Marlins manager John Boles' office and shoved a wad of money into Boles' hand.

"This is the first time in all my years I've ever had a player come to me and fine himself," Boles said. "I couldn't believe it. I told him to take the money back, and when he refused I told him that if he didn't take the money back that I wouldn't play him."

Castillo was upset because he failed to put down a sacrifice bunt in the ninth inning.

"I let the team down, I was mad," Castillo said. "I want to do everything I can to help this team win. I wasn't thinking about me, I was just mad because I didn't get the bunt down, and that would have meant another run. That's why I gave him the money. I wish he would have taken it."

Boles was overwhelmed.

"That gives you an idea about Luis Castillo. It's pretty impressive to me . . . When you have that kind of dedication and that kind of will to succeed, then you've got something special. You add talent on top of that, and you have something precious."

Boles thinks Castillo is the best leadoff man in baseball, and adds that he is even more valuable to Florida, a team without a lot of power that has to scratch for runs.

"Luis is more crucial to our offense than any other leadoff man is to any other team," Boles said. "If Luis doesn't do it, we don't do it."